The sun was shining, and the weather stayed clear for one of the most exciting weekends of summer in Carlyle.
Engines revving could be heard for miles at the 11th annual Carlyle Boogie Fest, June 22 and 23. The flood of motorbikes took over town, with bike enthusiasts ready for a good time.
With a crowd at points reaching more people than could fit in the barn at the park, the town's businesses were booming and Lions Park was packed with happy people from every block.
The weekend festivities commenced on Friday afternoon with a free barbeque lunch and ticket blitz. The ticket blitz proved to be a big hit once again this year with the winner of the 2012 Harley-Davidson Street Bob being Shawn Lyttle of Redvers.
Friday afternoon was full of surprises for the younger crowd, as Cornerstone Family and Youth had planned a delightful carnival atmosphere. The activities at this event included face painting, two bouncy castles, cotton candy and other sugary products at the concessions, carnival themed games, a fun bicycle kids parade and of course the magician. Children's faces were glowing with glee, and sugar consumption made the events all that much more memorizing.
Participants and guests got a bright and early start Saturday morning at the 8 a.m. Pancake breakfast. The morning also included biker registration for the Poker Derby and a chance to watch the Senior Ball Tournament which included the infamous Carlyle Cardinals. The Poker Derby route took bikers to Virden, Maryfield and Kenosee, with the parade of bikes going down Main Street for spectators.
The barbeque roast beef supper began at the Lions Park at 530 p.m., and was sponsored by The Knights of Columbus. The biker games to follow brought in quite the large crowd as they are known to be a yearly crowd-pleaser.
As the wacky games started, children enjoyed the view sitting on the grass brought to them, as many adults took the opportunity to cheer on their favourite competitors.
This year's events included a majority of partner games, with a few individual rider contests. Passengers were expected to put golf balls down a tube and catch them on the other side in a baseball cap, hang socks on clothes lines, placing golf balls on pylons, and riding on a plank.
As is tradition at the Boogie Fest the final contest of the biker games included a Burnout contest.
After a short break,the minors were sent home and a new party began. The Chris Henderson band put on quite the show at the Lions Park dance. A bonfire was part of the evening, with several people enjoying their hot dogs and hamburgers around it with new friends. Two- stepping and attempts at other country moves were part of the immense entertainment of the evening.
The Town of Carlyle put on a remarkable show with its fireworks display. The spectacle was noticeable throughout the whole town and left its audience in awe. After dark, the party continued until 2 a.m., with quite a large age range interacting to the wee hours of the morning. And the boogie festivities went out with yet another successful year.
